Public Statements

Press Release

Congressman Kevin Cramer met with representatives of Statoil, a Norwegian Energy Company with worldwide oil and gas operations. Statoil is a recent investor in the Bakken and Three Forks tight oil plays, operating multiple rigs in the Williston Basin. Statoil also has operations in the Marcellus and Eagle Ford plays. Meeting with the Congressman were Executive Vice President for North America Bill Maloney, Vice President of U.S. Government Affairs Jan Karlsen and Senior Director of Government Affairs Michael Olsen.

"Statoil and North Dakota are logical partners, not only because of our shared interest and expertise in advanced oil and natural gas recovery techniques, but the rich Norwegian heritage incorporated in our State." Cramer said. "Although many countries possess natural resources, America's rich heritage of free market principles, and personal freedom, should make it an ideal destination for foreign direct investment."

Through their acquisition of Brigham Exploration Company in 2011, Statoil currently holds approximately 375,0000 net acres in the Williston Basin.

"Unfortunately, Statoil's involvement in the Williston Basin, and North Dakota's prominence as a job creator, is an anomaly in today's malaised economic climate." Cramer stated. "This partnership demonstrates the benefits of limited, prudent government. If only our federal stewards could recognize that it too has vast untapped energy resources that can be prudently developed to reignite our economic engine," Cramer continued. "A recent Institute for Energy Research study found that opening access to federal lands could create 552,000 jobs over the next seven years and lead to $32 billion in annual wage increases over the same time frame."

Congressman Kevin Cramer is a member of the Natural Resources and Science, Space and Technology House Committees, including the Natural Resource Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, and Subcommittee on Energy of the House Science Space and Technology Committee. Immediately prior to his election to Congress, Congressman Cramer served as a state-wide elected energy regulator, serving the citizens of North Dakota as a Public Service Commissioner since 2003.